GFRP composite footbridge series with multi-box cross section – Part 2: Local detailed design

•3D numerical modelling and simulation methodology was elaborated.•The methodology was validated experimentally on the complex test system.•The local detailed design calculations of the case study footbridge were carried out.•The simulation results were presented in the form of contour maps.•The footbridge was redesigned accordingly to meet the load capacity conditions. The contribution constitutes Part 2 of research on a GFRP composite footbridge series with a multi-box cross section (Composite Structures, 2020). The 3D numerical modelling and simulation methodology was elaborated and experimentally validated on a test system in which glued laminates, rubber pads, steel plates and screw joints are applied. The test system reflects a steel post–composite platform joint applied in the footbridge series. Local detailed design calculations were carried out including the parts/joints of the case study footbridge that were omitted or modelled in a simplified manner in the global detailed design calculations in Part 1, i.e. validating the ultimate limit state (ULS) for the rubber bearings, validating the ULS for the support stabilizing systems, validating the ULS for the steel post–composite platform joints, validating the ULS for the transport-and-assembly openings. The simulation results were presented in the form of displacement contour maps, failure index contour maps and effective stress contour maps. The parts/joints in which stress concentrations appear were redesigned accordingly to meet the load capacity conditions. The elaborated methodology ensures that the local design results are applied to the entire footbridge series.